Chapter Text
Faith | by MADKID
(Opening 1, 00:00-01:28)
The scene opens up to show Melromarc's naval fleet sailing to Cal Mira.
After Keith had gone down marching underwater, he had returned to the group and spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach with them. That night, he used the Dragon Hourglass Sand Shield to teleport to the Dragon Hourglass in Castle Town and alert the queen of the new information about the wave.
The queen quickly gathered up her army and began to prepare for the upcoming wave. Meanwhile, Keith had instructed Yenova to begin recruiting some adventurers in Cal Mira to join the battle.
Queen Mirellia: I don't know how, but we made it.
Zane: I'm actually impressed you managed to gather up such a large fleet so quickly. I doubt the old man would've done this.
Princess Melty: *bashfully* Oh, it really wasn't a big deal. Preparing for the waves is the royal family's responsibility.
Zane looked at the princess for a few seconds before voicing out what's on his mind.
Zane: Why are you here again?
Melty's face quickly contorted from a sweet bashful face and into a frown.
Princess Melty: What's that supposed to mean?!
Zane just snickered at her sudden tsundere attitude.
Princess Melty: *shyly* I'm here because... I'm part of your party.
Filo: *chipperly* I'm happy you're here. I'm always happy when I get to see you.
Princess Melty: *smiles* Aw, thanks Filo. I feel the same.
Zane (mind):
His thought was interrupted when Raphtalia asked a question.
Raphtalia: Do you think that the people of Cal Mira will be able to get off the island in time?
Queen Mirellia: The Earl of Habenberg acted quickly. He's already finished evacuating all of the islanders. Besides, we have every reason to believe that this wave will be happening out at sea. Right now, all you need to worry about is the battle.
Zane: You got it. Unfortunately, those three idiots were still smug.
Queen Mirellia: They seem to think that leveling up at Cal Mira was enough.
Zane: Welp, they're literal idiots.
Raphtalia then calls Zane's attention and points to L'Arc and Therese on a separate boat.
Princess Melty: You know them?
Zane: Damn right we do. They're our associates in Cal Mira.
Raphtalia: I'm glad they're on our side.
Zane: Hell yeah! With them on our side, who needs the three idiots?
Princess Melty: Wow! It's not often you put so much trust in other people.
Zane scoffs at that remark before smirking.
The sky then turned red as the ships were engulfed in a golden aura.
Queen Mirellia: It will begin when we teleport! Everyone, prepare for battle!
The ships and their crews were teleported to where the battle shall commence.
Zane: Let's do this then!
Fish-like monsters begin to drop down from the sky and into the water below. The knights begin dropping casks on the water as the ships circle around the initial area of the fight.
The casks explode and monsters begin resurfacing, unconscious. Apparently, the casks were bombs filled with Rucolu/Luchol/Cohol Fruit wine, causing the monsters to be drunk.
Keith takes a throwing stance and aims at five monsters floating on the water and throws his Leviathan Axe. The axe strikes true and slices apart the monsters.
Zane was just watching since he didn't have any range options and waiting for his ATB to refill on its own takes a while. Though, if any monster tried to get on the ship, he was easily either cleaving them in half or grabbing them and yeeting them off the boat and back into the ocean.
He heard a loud splashing of waves in the distance and saw the wave boss. It was a sperm whale and narwhal hybrid.
[ Inter-Dimensional Whale ]
Keith: *turns to Zane, panicky* Now you understand why I have ocean-phobia?!
Zane: Hey, at least it's not generic like krakens!
Itsuki: Meteor Shot!
The two looked at Itsuki's ship and saw him fire his attack at the whale, only for it to submerge. The two looked over the gunwale and couldn't see it clearly but did see a large shadow loom underwater. It then reemerges and hits Ren's ship.
Ren: *panicking* We can't hit it unless we get it out of the water!!!
The poor Sword Hero was hugging his ship's mast for dear life. The two World Jumpers unfortunately didn't hear him.
Queen Mirellia: Glitch Heroes, we're going to need you to keep the biggest monster in check.
Zane: And how do you propose we do that?
Keith: I can gain its attention. Filo, come on.
Filo skipped after him and changed into her filolial form. Keith mounts her and the two jump into the water after the whale. Keith was currently equipping the Pengu Shield, which helps him breathe underwater by engulfing him with an aura. Necessarily, his avatar didn't need this but since he himself is scared of the ocean, he had it out just to be safe.
Keith: *muffled, underwater* Hate Reaction!
His shield pulsed out a wave of light that engulfed the whale with a red aura, aggroing it.
Keith pats Filo's neck and points upward, getting a nod from her. The filolial swims up and flies out of the water, the whale jumping out to follow her.
Queen Mirellia: This is it! Time to attack!
Itsuki: Meteor Shot!
Motoyasu: Meteor Thrust!
Ren: Meteor Slash!
Their attacks struck the whale and managed to make it groan. The three cheered but the whale retaliated by firing a beam at the ship ahead of it.
Zane: Did those three seriously just prick it with needles, it doesn't look like it's hurt!
Yenova raised her hands to the sky while Frostine took flight in her human form before taking.
Princess Yenova: As the princess who commands an origin of power, I shall decipher the laws of nature! By order of Princess Yenova Blazehart II...
Frostine: As source of thy power, I order thee! Decipher the laws of nature...
Princess Yenova/Frostine: ... Unite the blazing fires of our might and set our target alight!
Princess Yenova: Fox Fire, Spirit Blaze: Phantasmal Cold Fire Fury!
Using the water from the ocean as her catalyst, a fox made of ghastly pale blue flames erupted from behind Yenova. Behind Frostine formed a dragon made of ice. The two ghastly beasts flew towards each other and upon meeting in the middle, they swirled around like a ying yang before swirling towards the whale.
Upon hitting their target, the whale wailed in pain as it was set alight in ghastly blue flames. Despite being on fire, the flames weren't put out when it submerged due to the flames being spiritual rather than normal fire.
Zane: Boy am I glad we left Bitch in Castle Town for this. She would've only held us back.
[ Zane Grayson ]
[ Keith Levi ]
[ Raphtalia | Level 76 ]
[ Filo | Level 80 ]
[ Yenova Blazehart II | Level 77 ]
[ Frostine | Level 80 ]
[ Bitch Whore | Level 3 ]
Princess Yenova: Agreed. And I'm glad Ake and his friends volunteered to keep an eye on her in case she tries anything.
The whale rose up from the water and Raphtalia, who was on a harpoon cannon, shot at it with a magically enhanced harpoon. The harpoon hits it, making the beast wail in pain and submerge once more.
The whale disappears from sight but cask bombs begin exploding and the explosions were headed towards the boat Zane and the others were on.
Keith: Oh no! Air Strike–
A beam fired out from the ocean.
Keith: Shield!
Just in time, the green shield materialized in front of the beam and redirected it to passing the ship's mast rather than hitting it. The large splashes of water from the cask bombs and the eruption of the beam drenched a good majority of those onboard the ship.
However, those explosions of water were enough to distract the people onboard and give the small fry to slowly overrun their ship. Zane was grinning as he fisticuffed a few of the small fry, punting some of them off the boat.
A fish-monster bites into his arm. He just lifts his arm up to eye level and looks at the monster, not even concerned since he only felt the force of its bite but not the pain. Zane casually rips the monster off his arm and drops it before punting it to a different boat.
He looks at his injury and sees glowing red welts in its place, similar to SAO's damage marks. After at least 10 seconds away from combat, the marks disappear. He returns to fight afterwards.
Keith drops down to help deal with the small fry since Frostine and Yenova were busy inflicting their attack on the whale while Filo continued to gain its attention.
Princess Melty: As source of thy power, I order thee! Decipher the laws of nature and thrash my targets with a floor of water! Zweite Aqua Shot!
Her spell shot forward and washed away the monsters. She runs up to ask if the crew were okay, who assured her that they were alright.
Keith: MELTY, LOOK OUT!
Keith ran towards the princess, who turned around to see a fish monster about to pounce on her. Keith managed to reach Melty as the monster tackled the two and nearly sent them plummeting to the ocean below with it had Keith not thrown his Blade of Chaos and embedded it into the ship's portside gunwale.
Frostine: Master!
Princess Yenova: Frostine! Concentrate!
Yenova wanted to look and help, but if either of them got distracted, their spell would end. Frostine was forced to listen to her master struggling and Melty screaming in fright.
Filo: Melty!
Filo narrowly avoided a beam from the whale as her attention was more focused on Melty's safety.
Raphtalia and Zane were more focused on defending Yenova from the monsters to help. I didn't help that Raphtalia was operating one of the harpoon guns of the ship.
Keith was yelling in pain. Due to the sudden halt of their fall, he broke his shoulder like Spider-Man did with Gwen's back. (I'm not sorry. 😃)
Keith: AGH! Someone get this thing off us!
Keith and Melty were trying to kick the monster off of them but one of its claws were embedded into Keith's avatar's knee, preventing it from falling. It was also still grabbing onto one of Melty's legs. Keith held Melty on his freehand while his other arm hung limply above him due to his broken shoulder.
The knights were trying to shoot at it but only ending up hitting Keith in the back, who was blocking the arrows from hitting Melty. Even if they did hit the creature, it was slowly crawling up the two's legs, making it more difficult to hit.
*CREAK*
The two widened their eyes and looked up. The blade that was embedded on the gunwale was slowly loosening due to their weight.
Keith: Someone grab the chain!
The crew began trying to pull them up but due to the two struggling to get the monster off them, it was too difficult to pull them up.
Eventually, the blade loosened and the three were sent falling.
Queen Mirellia: *distraught* Melty!
Keith, in a last ditch effort, threw Melty up. Just in time as L'Arc jumped to aid them.
Keith: Air Strike Shield!
An Air Strike Shield appeared below where Melty would fall back down. Just as she did, L'Arc used the shield as a stepping platform and helped Melty back up on the ship.
Keith, meanwhile, grabbed the monster's neck and ripped its throat out like it was no big deal and reached for his other Blade of Chaos but he fell on the water before he could throw it as an anchor.
Keith felt his back hit the crashing waves below and in a flash, his head was being dunked in a large bucket of water. A hand pulls him out of the water by the hair. The hand belonged to an adult male with short light brown hair, a circle beard, and brown eyes.
Keith coughs out some water before the man angrily dunks his head right back into the bucket before Keith begins struggling to swim in the ocean.
He tries to swim and in a splash, he begins coughing out some water as he sees a blurry image of a man with neck length dark brown hair, green eyes, and no beard. The man shouts something but Keith was too disoriented to hear. The man angrily throws a wet cloth at Keith's face before he feels water rushing down the cloth, making him scream muffled against the cloth.
Keith gasps for air as he felt like drowning before he managed to log out and get his helmet off. The blonde coughed and wheezed before he began breathing heavily, heaving in large amounts of air.
He rolls onto his back and wipes his sweaty face as his breath becomes raggy and shaky. He eventually calms down and puts his arm over his eyes.
Back in the ship, Zane was chuckling nervously. Frostine was constantly asking if her master was alright and Zane does not know how to answer that right now other than...
Zane: Keith's totally fine!
L'Arc: Skybound Wheel Swing!
With a swing of L'Arc's scythe, he unleashed a tornado that cut apart the monsters and sent them flying.
An impressed Melty walks up to L'Arc while everyone cheered that L'Arc took them all out, giving them a chance to fight back.
Princess Melty: I can't believe how powerful you are. Zane was right about you.
L'Arc looked away at that. Melty couldn't understand if he was bashful or something.
Zane: Yo, L'Arc! Nice to see ya again, buddy! Say, care to help us out with the big fella?
L'Arc looked like he was contemplating for an answer.
L'Arc: *mutters* Well, I guess it does need to go down first... *outloud, to Zane* Alright, but get its big ass up where I can hit it!
Zane: *mutters* Now how the fuck am I supposed to do that...?
The red haired World Jumper looks down at the water.
Zane: *mutters* Come on, Keith. We need you right now.
Back in Keith's VR room, the blonde was slamming his shoulder against the wall, trying to force his shoulder to pop back into socket. After one more try, he managed to force it back, although the nerves in his right arm were shaky and numb from that. He grits his teeth before it forms into a smirk and he logs back into the fight.
Zane was firing Firaga spells at the whale to get it out of the water but nothing. The whale was suddenly engulfed in a red aura and its direction turned. From the water erupted Keith in a viking style canoe.
He was riding it like a surfboard while his Blades of Chaos were attached to two fish monsters, like horses with reins. The fish monsters were still alive and were swimming away in a panic due the chains wrapped around their bodies.
Keith: HAHA! I told you I'd one day get to use the boat!
Zane shook his head fondly in disbelief.
Keith's canoe hit another one of the smaller monsters, sending it in the air and making Keith shriek in fright as he was sent off the canoe.
Keith: Oh fuuuccckkk!!! This is going to huuurt!
Keith's avatar smashed against the waves and Keith himself smashed against the floor of his VR room. One of the fish monsters broke free but the other didn't and began to swim faster to get him off. The poor blonde was sent smashing around his room like a ragdoll just as his avatar was.
Keith: HEAHGAHAGELAGAHHAAHHELP!
The fish monster eventually decided to smash him against the boats and it worked since Keith smashed into one of the boats and the monster broke free from the loosened chains. Keith, who was now at the lower hull of the ship.
Keith: *groans weakly* I wanna hurl...
A few crew members that were doing repairs just stared at him.
Keith: *awkwardly* Don't mind the hole I made. Do any of you fine gents know how to get to the deck?
Keith was led up to the deck by one of the crew while the rest continued to repair.
Once he was on the deck, Filo picked Keith up. Keith reached his hand to the canoe and it shrunk into the size of a hotwheels car before flying into Keith's hand.
And just like earlier, the two swam down the ocean and with Hate Reaction, Keith got the whale's attention. The filolial queen flies up the air and like before, the whale follows.
L'Arc: Skybound Wheel Swing!
L'Arc unleashes another tornado that slashes away at the whale, leaving cuts around its body. Zane didn't want to let up and jumped high in the air and spun his sword, the aura of the Limit Break engulfing him.
Zane swings his sword at the whale's direction before three medium sized meteors fly towards the whale. Another swing sent three more and that aura disappeared. The meteors crashed into the whale, causing explosions that damaged the beast and making it wail in pain.
Keith: Finish it, Filo!
Filo: Right!
Filo flew towards a mast net and slingshotted herself back towards the whale.
Filo: Spiral Strike!
She shot forward and struck it, knocking it back.
Therese: Bejeweled: Thunder Storm!
Lightning erupted from her jewel and flew towards L'Arc, who initiated a combo skill.
L'Arc: Combo Skill: Thunderbolt Wheel Swing!
L'Arc swung his scythe forward and unleashed a tornado of wind and lightning towards the airborne whale, killing it.
But just to be safe, Keith decided to join the final attack. He decided to use Leviathan's Wake and throw his axe into the whale's mouth, which also flew through it and out its tail, it also froze its insides.
Filo: Master, it was already dead.
Keith: Oh I know, Filo. I'm aware.
Filo lands on the whale's large carcass and meets up with L'Arc.
Keith: Thanks for the assist by the way.
L'Arc: Well, you weren't gonna beat it alone with a broken shoulder.
Keith: Yeah. Well, it's kinda fine now.
Keith rubs his shoulder. He was certain another stitch opened up but hey, it was worth it.
Motoyasu: Hey! Levi!
Keith slowly turned his head, with a 😒 face, to his right and saw the three heroes walking towards them.
Motoyasu: You and your friend here did a really good job.
Keith slowly turned to L'Arc, and Therese was now there too, with a "help me" expression on his face before turning to the three heroes.
Keith: What are you guys doing here anyways?
Ren: *unamused* We came for the drops, obviously.
Itsuki: The items that the wave monsters drop after the battle belong to all the heroes.
Keith: You three fucks did nothing to earn it...
Keith briefly logged out and quickly shouted to Zane to hurry his ass up and collect the drops before the three idiots did. Keith logs back in after getting an "Okay!" from Zane.
Keith: I'm going to be brutally honest with you guys. The only hero here right now is–
L'Arc: *darkly* Heroes? That your idea of a joke? Because no one's laughing! You weaklings can't protect a thing!
Keith: Shit... Zane hurry the fuck up!
Motoyasu: Huh?!
Ren and Itsuki were confused as to what he said.
Raphtalia finally arrives with Yenova and Frostine.
Raphtalia: The queen wants you to hurry up and get rid of the remaining monsters!
A huge gust of wind blew forth and sent the three idiots flying in front of Raphtalia. Keith just stood there, having tanked the attack with Shooting Star Shield.
L'Arc: I guess you really are one of the Glitch Heroes, huh? *smiles* Hm. Alright then. I guess it's come down to this.
Keith: Hm. *mutters* It has to be this way...
Princess Yenova: L'Arc! What's the meaning of this?!
L'Arc: It's simple really. For the sake of our world, you gotta die.
L'Arc points his scythe at Keith, the kitsune now finally looking at his scythe's gemstone in the scythe heel. He briefly glances at his pocket, which had the Vassal Staff.
L'Arc: For what it's worth, we have nothing against you.
Therese: It's true, please believe us. This is unfortunate, especially after you were so kind to us. But we really do not have a choice.
Zane: What's going on?
Zane finally arrived, confused on what's happening. He walks next to Keith.
Keith: *whispers to Zane* Did you get the loot?
Zane: *whispers to Keith* Yeah, kinda. All the loot you said we could get from the whale. They're in my B-O-H.
Keith nodded at that.
Princess Yenova: Wait a second! Without the heroes, this world will be doomed!
L'Arc: We know. That's what we're going for.
Zane: The fuck?
Therese: L'Arc, they'll understand if you give them a proper explanation.
L'Arc sighs and lays his scythe against his shoulder.
L'Arc: *mutters* This is such a pain. *outloud* Long story short, the two of us are heroes just like you are. From another world. You got it?
Zane: Tsk. All I get is that another redhead stabbed us in the back.
Keith elbows Zane to reprimand him.
Keith: So you're heroes from another world.
Therese: And just like your world, ours is also teetering on the brink of destruction. *remorsefully* There is only one way to stop it.
Raphtalia: You mean...
L'Arc: Basically, we've also got something to fight for. That's why we can't afford to lose! You understand, right?
Keith: Yeah. I do.
L'Arc: Good. Now if we're going to fight, let's keep it fair and square! So get ready, Glitch Heroes!
Keith: If that's the case, then you gotta know one thing.
L'Arc raises a brow.
Keith: My axe always comes back.
Keith held out his hand in front of him, nothing was happening.
Keith: Give it a second...
His axe flew from behind him and spun around him before hitting into his hand. He wasn't expecting it to fly from behind him, causing him to fumble with his catch before catching it properly. Therese couldn't help but giggle at that while L'Arc stifled a snicker.
The girls facepalmed while Zane cackled. Keith holds the Leviathan Axe to his face and points at it with a scolding manner.
Keith: Why'd you come from behind me? I thought you'd come from L'Arc's side of the map!
Meanwhile, back on the ship, Mirellia was looking at the encounter through a telescope. Beside her, Melty had a disappointed look on her face.
Princess Melty: This whole time, he's only been after Keith and Zane...?
Queen Mirellia: I'm afraid we have no choice but to mark them as enemies of the heroes. *to her soldiers* Listen up, those adventurers are hostiles! We will defend the heroes and bring those two down!
Back with the heroes, the three stooges were standing back up.
Motoyasu: Okay, this isn't funny.
Ren groaned as he stood up, ready to fight.
L'Arc: *smugly* You guys should've just stayed down.
L'Arc puts his scythe's staff on his shoulder and closes his eyes before slightly lifting it upwards to block Itsuki's arrow without trying.
Motoyasu charges forward and tries to thrust his spear at the scythe wielder but L'Arc easily parries him away.
L'Arc then spun around and quickly blocked Ren's downward slash before sweeping his legs, knocking the sword hero on his back.
Arrows were then launched from the ships and were flying towards L'Arc and Therese, but the former created a barrier made of blue fire and incinerated the arrows about to hit them.
L'Arc: Therese.
Therese: Of course. Power of jewels far and wide, I beseech thee! Heed my call and come to me!
A strong gust of wind forced the girls in the Glitch Heroes' party to cover their eyes. The boys, meanwhile, were unfazed since they weren't there to feel that wind on their faces.
The light blue haired girl then removes her leather headband on her forehead, revealing a red gemstone embedded on her skin. The gem glows and her hair and eyes change from light blue to ruby red.
Therese: My name is Therese Alexanderite! My friends, be the force that destroys my targets for me! I cast Bejeweled: Meteor Shower!
Azure fireballs began raining down from the heavens and began to strike down the boats. Keith casted an Air Strike Shield above the group to prevent them from getting hit by the raining fireballs.
Zane: *whispers to Keith* You know, it was a really good call not to attack them immediately.
Keith: *whispers to Zane* Told ya you'd like it.
Keith was holding out a crystal ball and was recording the entire meteor shower. The two could've attacked them when Therese was casting her spell since anime fighting laws don't apply to them but L'Arc wanted a fair fight so they're holding off.
L'Arc: Therese.
Therese: I know. I'm only making sure that we aren't interrupted.
She raises her hand to the sky and casts a different spell.
Therese: Now my friends, protect my targets from the destruction around them! Bejeweled: Silver Lining!
Rain began to pour around the boats, putting out the fires that were caused by Therese's first spell.
L'Arc: We're only here for Keith and Zane. This isn't about you so, you better just stay out of it.
Therese: That's right. We just have two targets.
Keith: If you want a fair fight, then you'll get one. You girls hang back.
Raphtalia: But Master Keith!
Zane: Dude, why? We outnumber them by 4.
Keith: L'Arc wants a fair fight. And it's just you and I whom they're after. No need to endanger the girls.
Zane: *whispers to Keith* Keith, we have no combat training against actual people. The pope is an exception since he was more of a mage but against "pretty boy" over there...
Keith: Just watch your attacks. And don't be reckless. *whispers to Zane* Besides, we're a god and a super soldier. We'll be fine. Though it'll hurt.
Zane: *mutters* I swear if I get stitches because of you, I'm going to choke you when we're eating...
Keith walked forward and Zane followed behind him. The two unsheathed their weapons and got ready for a fight while the girls watched on, ready to jump in to help should they need to.
L'Arc smirked and dashed forward at such speed that caught both of the boys off guard but Keith managed to raise his Guardian Shield just in time to block the attack.
Zane retaliated by swinging his sword at L'Arc from one direction while Keith swung his Blade of Chaos at the other. However, both attacks were blocked by two different scythes.
L'Arc: Air Scythe Suite! First Stance: Wind Blow Out!
A tornado formed around L'Arc, sending Zane spiraling out while Keith's blade was sent flying. Keith pulled the blade back by the chain while Zane managed to roll away from L'Arc's scythe, which stabbed the spot Zane was just on.
Zane recovered and fired a Fira blast at L'Arc instead of Firaga in a panic but either way, the spell was countered by Therese making a barrier of fire to intercept Zane's fireball.
Keith and L'Arc were going toe-to-toe. Keith's shield meant he could block a lot of attacks while L'Arc's speed made it difficult for Keith to retaliate back.
Keith: If I can't attack back with a weapon, attack back by blocking!
As soon as L'Arc was about to hit his shield once more, he quickly changed his shield into the Bee Needle Shield. Upon hitting the shield, it shot out a few needles right back at the attacker. L'Arc backed off quickly but one needle hit him in the left arm, making it numb and slightly sluggish.
Therese: *worried* Oh no!
L'Arc: *assuringly* I'm okay. It didn't hurt me at all.
He swipes the needle off and shakes his numb arm, opening and closing his hand a bunch.
L'Arc: It does feel a little bit numb though. *smirks* Oh man, you sure know how to keep things interesting!
Keith smirks and switches his shield back to the Guardian Shield before reengaging with L'Arc.
{ On the boats }
Queen Mirellia: Priority one is rescuing our men, move them to the remaining ships.
One of the crew members asks what about the heroes since they were in the water.
Queen Mirellia: Their party members have already taken rowboats to help them. They can handle it.
Melty runs off to get on one of the rowboats. It just so happens to be the one Rishia was climbing up from.
Rishia: Oh my! Princess Melty!
Melty tackles the girl away from the rope ladder.
Princess Melty: Take this boat over to Keith and Zane, now!
Rishia: H-Huh?! But we barely just got back from rescuing Sir Itsuki from over there!
Princess Melty: *demandingly* Just shut up and do it!
Rishia just whines before complying with her order.
{ Back at the battle }
L'Arc charged towards Keith, who blocked his attack. Keith didn't feel it but he felt a stinging sensation on his arm despite blocking the attack, however it didn't hurt him.
Zane jumps on Keith's shoulder as a jumping platform — since the blonde was kneeling — and delivers the Braver Limit Break down towards L'Arc, who backs away to avoid it. Zane continues his assault and forces L'Arc to back away.
L'Arc was indeed faster but Zane was easily stronger, plus his sword was twice his size and its weight was pretty heavy for L'Arc to block it for too long without spraining his arms.
Keith was still kneeling and was catching his breath, the curse's effect was taking its toll on him. But still, he pushed himself and got ready to rejoin the fight.
Therese: Bejeweled: Sin Flame!
Therese fired an azure colored fireball towards Keith, who got ready to block it. Just as it neared him, the fireball dispersed into blue embers.
Keith: What the...
He then heard the voice of a young child telepathically speaking to him.
???: *apologetically* I'm sorry...
Keith: Wait... Was that...
Therese was looking at the bracelet that Keith had made. The gem was glowing softly.
Therese: *understandingly* Of course... You don't want to fight him, do you...?
Keith: I'm so tempted to call that little jewel as mine and Therese's child. Which it technically is...
L'Arc: *worriedly* Therese?
Therese: It's fine. I'll use a different one.
Therese switches out the bracelet Keith made for a different one.
Keith logs out and pops a medicine to heal himself before logging back in and tossing Zane a mana potion and soul soothing potion to recharge his Limit Break. Zane downed them both almost instantaneously.
Keith: So, that attack you did. Despite me blocking it, you still managed to injure me. What was it? Armor piercing? Ignore defense? Defense reversal?
L'Arc: You got it on the third one. The higher that/my target's defense is, the more damage that attack is going to deal to them. *proudly* In other words, it's the perfect counter against a shield user such as yourself!
Zane: That's actually pretty cool, I'll admit.
L'Arc: You were just guessing, huh? Luckily for you, my policy is to fight fair. I have no secrets.
Keith: If that's the case, we should do the same thing.
Zane looked at Keith, unimpressed and unamused.
Keith: *whispers to Zane* We use our skills tactically.
Princess Melty: Keith! Zane!
Filo: It's Mel!
Zane: How the hell did you get here?!
Princess Melty: I commandeered a ride.
Rishia just whined once again.
Keith and Zane did their best to stifle their laughter at the face Rishia made.
Princess Melty: *points at the two* You haven't finished this wave yet! So hurry up and beat these guys already! Then finish the wave so we can go home!
The two nod at her and look at each other.
Keith: Fast ball?
Zane: Homerun.
Keith smirks and faces L'Arc.
Keith: Hey L'Arc, just so we're fair, I'll reveal our trump cards as well. Your defense reversing attack is cool and all but my Air Strike Shields are ranged defense skills so your attack doesn't bounce back at me. Plus, my Spartan Rage ability will allow me to neglect incoming damage and it doesn't count as defense. Zane on the other hand has 7 different ultimate moves and he charges them by tanking hits.
L'Arc smirks as Keith just gave away their abilities for a fair fight.
Princess Melty: Keith! Why would you tell him how you're going to defeat him?!
Keith: *smiles* It's fair.
L'Arc: *smirks* Looks like we got our cards on the table. In that case, let's do it!
L'Arc charged at the two and Keith immediately ducked under L'Arc swing as Zane parried L'Arc's attack and engaged. Keith got behind L'Arc, who hooked Zane's blade and threw the redhead at his friend.
Keith smirks and activates his Guardian Shield for Zane to use as a platform. The redhead does so and jumps back at L'Arc. A blue fiery aura engulfed Zane and he unleashed Cross Slash at L'Arc, who tried to block it but his block was broken by the Limit Break and damaged him.
L'Arc groaned in pain at that and jumped back to gain some distance, only for him to crash into an Air Strike Shield behind him. He then felt chain's wrapped around his waist as Keith pulled him towards Zane with ease.
Keith: Here's a fast ball, Z!
Zane got ready to swing his sword like a bat but Therese shot out a fireball towards Zane but a second Air Strike Shield intercepted it.
Zane: Batter up!
Zane hits L'Arc with the flat side of his blade, sending the scythe wielder flying.
Zane: Homerun!
A chain wrapped around L'Arc's leg and he was pulled back towards Keith. He swings his scythe towards Keith and smirks when Keith lifts his shield arm, only to widen his eyes in surprise when a fiery aura surrounds Keith just before the scythe blade hits the blonde.
Keith grabs the scythe staff and pulls L'Arc near before sending him flying with a punch to the gut. Zane fires out a Firaga at L'Arc but Therese sends a fireball to counter it. Both attacks explode and create a curtain of smoke that briefly covers the view of both parties from each other.
L'Arc: *admittedly* Honestly, that really hurt. You know how to make perfect use of those weapons of yours, don't ya kiddos. You are good.
L'Arc had a hand on his aching abdomen from that punch he received from Keith but he was still standing.
Keith: You're lucky I was holding back. And that Zane liked you enough that he decided to use the flat side of his sword.
Therese: When you told us you'd be using Air Strike Shield for defense, we never imagined that you'd use it as a trap against us. Then your abilities, you're both creative at adding them at the right time. And you're good at mind games too.
Keith: Thanks for the compliment.
Zane: But flattery ain't going to win this fight.
Keith: Therese is the problem. We can't get near her since L'Arc's keeping us occupied and preventing us from getting close to her. Even so, she can switch between offense and defense at will so any attacks we send towards her she can counter and still be able to help L'Arc right after.
Zane: Is it possible for me to switch teams? Then again... I'd be against anime Rocket Raccoon, KFC, Second Princess, Ahri from League of Legends, Miss Not Really Blue Eyes White Dragon, and Milf Queen... On the plus side of their side, Therese looks cute and L'Arc's a fellow redhead.
While those two were thinking that, L'Arc pointed his scythe at the two.
L'Arc: I was bored out of my mind fighting those monsters on Cal Mira. But there's nothing better than a man-to-man battle with real strategy involved.
Keith: *mutters* Well, only one of us is strategizing...
Keith subtly glanced at Zane who was clearly thinking of something else than strategy.
L'Arc: Isn't this fun, Keith? We got plenty left in the tank. How 'bout you?
Keith smirks at L'Arc and trades his Blade of Chaos with the Leviathan Axe. In his POV, he presses his finger on one of the runes of the axe and sees a list of Heavy Runic Attacks. He knew which one he's switching out.
[ Heavy Runic Attacks ]
> Blessings of the Frost
- Breath of Thamur
- Frost Giant's Frenzy
- Glaive Storm
- Ivaldi's Anvil
- Mists of Helheim
- Thiazi's Talon
- The River of Knives [Active]
After switching over [ The River of Knives ] with [ Blessings of the Frost ], he got into his battle stance.
???: Will you please stop fooling around?
Keith: Uh oh...
A purple beam fires out from the waves above and hits one of the boats. A purple light shines from the boat and jumps to the whale's carcass. The light landed and it was apparently not other than...
Keith: Well, well. It's none other than Glass.
L'Arc: *smiles* Well, hello there Glassy. What are you doing here?
Glass: *unamused* I got tired of waiting.
Princess Melty: Who is that woman? Just the sight of her makes me shiver...
Keith: Her name's Glass. The woman who nearly killed the three morons during the last wave.
Zane: *smirks* And looks like your girlfriend is on their side, eh Keith?
Keith simply punched Zane without looking and making sure he hit him so hard he went flying to the water. He also heard a loud thud against the wall in Zane's room, followed by a loud yell of pain.
Raphtalia: *worriedly* Master Zane! *scoldingly* Master Keith!
Keith: *shrugs* I'm not sorry.
Glass: So good to see you again, Keith Levi.
Keith: Feelings mutual. I kinda wanna continue our bout during the last wave.
Zane: Or you just wanted to see your long distance girlfrie– ACK!
Glass shot a beam at Zane while Keith threw his shield at him in its boomerang form.
Glass: I see that your friend is still annoying.
Keith: Yup. So, about that fight.
Glass: *smiles* Well. Zero Stance Rondo: Reverse Four Seasons!
Glass unleashes her attack at Keith, who tried to block them all without using Air Strike Shield. He got some of them but some got past and hit him but still he stood.
Glass: Rupture Stance Rondo: Tortoise Shell Cracker!
A purple laser fires out from Glass's fan and towards Keith.
Keith: Air Strike Shield! Chimera Leather!
A leathery Air Strike Shield formed in front of Keith and managed to tank the hit for him but it shattered afterwards.
Glass: From the looks of his stance and his heaving chest, he's not fighting at his best.
L'Arc: *bewildered* His best? What do you mean?
Glass: When he's fighting, he's normally not this defensive.
Keith: It's that obvious, huh? Guess I can't hide the fact that I'm sick at the moment, yet here I am still standing.
Keith smiles and gets into his fighting stance.
Keith: Don't worry, it'll only be a little embarrassing if you get your ass handed to you by a sick person.
Glass: Don't get cocky. You can see now that I must do this with my own hands.
Glass charged towards Keith, who blocked her attack.
{ On the boats }
The three heroes were being treated with their seasickness and possible injuries along with the other crew and knights that were injured during the battle.
Knight: Your Majesty, everyone is accounted for.
Queen Mirellia: I am thankful for all your hard work.
The two heard an explosion from the fight between the Glitch Heroes and Glass's group.
Queen Mirellia: The wave is showing no signs of stopping. Perhaps that means it won't end until those adventurers have finally been defeated. Either way, there's nothing we can do. We'll have to entrust our victory to the Glitch Heroes.
Knight #2: Your Majesty!
The queen turns to her soldier.
Knight #2: There's something coming in the distance behind us.
The knight points somewhere off in the distance. The queen was handed a telescope and upon looking through it, she sees a ship that wasn't theirs.
Queen Mirellia: What is that?
The only other sign that wasn't theirs was the fact it glitched out.
{ With the Glitch Heroes }
Keith avoids another swipe from Glass, who continues her assault. Slowly, Keith was getting tired and sluggish as the curse was once again taking its toll. Keith nearly got stabbed in the head by Glass's fan but thankfully he raised his shield just in the nick of time and only got grazed in the side of the forehead.
Keith jumped away from Glass and wiped the side of his forehead. There was no blood but he could feel that he was hurt there. Glass charges him again and begins her assault.
Keith: Air Strike Shield!
The shield formed but it flickered and disappeared. Keith looked at his shield , which showed him an SP meter, and saw that his SP levels were low.
Keith: Oh crap!
Keith rolled out of the way and quickly swapped his Guardian Shield with the Soul Eater Shield just as Glass was about to attack. Upon seeing the shield, Glass widened her eyes in surprise and backed off.
Therese: I pray!
Keith: Oh come on, I need SP!
Therese: May your sacrifice carve open a path to our future! Bejeweled: Compressor Bomb!
Therese throws a jewel at Keith, who switched his shield from the Soul Eater Shield to the Light Metal Shield, which has an increased defense against magic. The bomb explodes and unleashes an explosion of crystal fragments and magic towards the blonde.
Princess Melty: What kind of magic is that?
Princess Yenova: It seems like it's powered by her jewelry.
Keith sees Glass and Therese about to unleash a combo skill.
Therese: Power of jewels far and wide, heed my call and come to me! I call upon you, my friends, summon a freezing storm that destroys my targets!
Keith switches his Light Metal Shield back to his Guardian Shield before covering himself with Shield Prison.
Therese: Bejeweled: Blizzard!
Glass: Combo Stance: Reverse Hail Seasons!
Glass unleashed their combo skill attack towards the Shield Prison. Within the confines of the sphere, Keith's avatar was paused as he drank up some water and some medicine.
Once the attack was done, the Shield Prison still held up before dispersing. The blonde was on his knees, breathing heavily but he still stood right back up and ready to continue. Tired as he was, his stubbornness wasn't going to let him down.
Frostine: *worriedly* Master!
Princess Melty: *concerned* Hey, are you holding up okay?
Keith: I'm totally fine, girls. I'm too stubborn to go down.
Glass: *impressed* We can't even beat you with that combo skill? You have gotten better. Everything I thought I knew about you is completely useless now.
Keith: *grins* As if I'm letting my curse hold me back. Besides, leveling up with the girls back in Cal Mira was quite useful.
Zane and L'Arc were engaged in a fight of their own. Zane slid under L'Arc's swing and tried to sweep the scythe user with his large blade. L'Arc simply hops over it and spins around to swing upward at Zane, who blocks it but is sent up in the air.
Zane yelped as he was sent up but regained his composure and fired a Blizzara to slow L'Arc down or at least jump away from his landing spot. And L'Arc did jump away, making Zane smirk as he flew towards him with Braver.
Zane: I ain't messing this on–
*SPLAT*
Zane did hit L'Arc, who blocked the attack, but he forgot to stick the landing and slammed face first back on the whale's carcass.
Zane: Oh goddammit! That's twice that happened now!
He was thankful that he was only 3 feet off the ground in his VR room when that happened or else he would've broken his neck.
The redhead slumps down on his front before looking up and yelps before rolling out of the way as L'Arc stabs the place he was just at. Zane got into a kneeling position and blocked a downward swing from L'Arc.
Zane pulled L'Arc forward and upon seeing a clear shot, he took it.
*SMACK*
He smacked his head right into L'Arc's groin, with both redheads yelling in pain. L'Arc stumbled backwards while holding his nuts. Zane rubbed his forehead and winced in pain.
L'Arc: *groans* S-Seriously? That's not cool!
Zane: On one hand, that was satisfying. On the other, that fucking hurt like hell! Sorry by the way.
The two stumbled back to their feet, both groaning in pain.
L'Arc gasped in surprise as he glanced behind Zane, who followed his fellow redhead's gaze and gawked in surprise at what he was seeing. It was a ship that was glitching out similarly to Mamoru when they fought him.
Zane: *mutters* Oh you've gotta be shitting me...
The ship crashes on the whale's carcass and the figure that jumps out from it was a familiar one.
Keith: Mamoru?!
The glitching out shield hero just let out a glitchy screech that was a mix of sounds similar to a fork scraping against a glass plate, nails on a chalkboard, a glitching audio error from a computer crash, and a human scream.
Both parties covered their ears at the screech. Once Zane recovered, he pushed L'Arc out of the way and jumped over to Keith.
Zane: Keith, I'm not the only one seeing this, right? Because I swear we killed this guy already.
Keith: Nope, you're not the only one seeing it.
The glitching shield hero placed its hand on the large vessel. The vessel soon began turning into glitching particles starting from the top as the glitching shield hero began absorbing the boat. It then began glitching out widely before it suddenly grew an extra head, then an extra arm, and then an extra leg.
Keith: Holy shit... That thing can multiply?!
The blonde was right as the shield hero now released a copy of itself and was making another. When the ship was gone, there were four glitching shield heroes.
Zane: *gulps* Oh fuck me in the ass...
Keith: *jokingly* No thanks mate, I ain't gay.
Zane: Shuddup dude. We already had trouble with one, now there's four.
Keith then noticed that only one had injuries which looked like gunshot wounds on the chest and one on the head.
Keith: That one with the wounds... Mamoru had them in Fitoria's memory... but the one we fought in Van's mansion didn't... We fought a clone?!
Zane: Oh boy... This is going to be a threeway fight, isn't it?
One of the glitching shield heroes crouched down and stabbed its hand on the whale's carcass before it bellowed out. The whale's body began glitching out and shook, nearly causing everyone on it to stumble.
The whale was soon starting to turn into particles while that one shield hero absorbing it was glitching out and was about to start multiplying.
Keith: Oh crap! We gotta stop that one!
Keith ran ahead but Glass stood in his way.
Glass: I don't know what that creature is but if it will help destroy this world then I cannot let you through.
Keith: Dammit Glass! You don't even know what that thing is!
Just as that one begins to create another version, its head explodes — disrupting the absorption. The main one turns to the water and it sees something emerging from it.
It was a large masculine figure covered in a black cloak, the same one whom Keith encountered before. This time, he was holding a large rifle in his hands that looks like a sci-fi version of a Barett .50cal.
Keith: It's you...! You're that strange guy from Cal Mira!
Zane: Keith, what is it with you meeting strangers?!
Keith: Shut up, Zane!
???: I told you to leave, didn't I? Look how worse you two made things.
Zane: Well, aren't you an expert?! Besides, we took one down already!
???: You took down a lesser version. This one's the real deal.
Zane: Oh fuck you, nerd! As if you know what these things are!
???: I do. *turns to Zane* Do you?
Zane tried to answer but couldn't come up with one.
???: Exactly.
L'Arc: And who are you supposed to be?
???: I'm a pioneer, but that's none of your business.
The figure removes his cloak and reveals what he looks like underneath.
Zane: *jokingly* Oh hey, it's Buzz Lightyear.
The stranger ignored that comment and faced the glitching shield heroes.
???: It seems that I failed to exterminate you once. Allow me to exterminate you... *charges up rifle* Permanently.
One of the shield heroes bellows and unleashes a dark beam at the stranger using its shield. The stranger lifts his free arm and fires a beam of light from it like Captain Marvel. It destroys the shield hero's beam and blasts through the shield hero, causing it to turn into glitchy particles and disappear.
With the strange turning to his right, Keith saw a patch on his right shoulder.
Keith: He's a World Jumper?!
The two other shield heroes roar and charge at the World Jumper, who jumps up and takes flight, leaving behind a trail of light. The two shield heroes suddenly grew wasp-like wings and flew up after the World Jumper.
Meanwhile, the one who's head was destroyed, slowly sat back up, its head regenerated and produced another shield hero from its body.
Keith: He can't take them on alone. Zane, help him out.
Zane: Oh yeah! I wanted to kill one of them!
Zane runs around Glass's party while they are distracted at the fight between the stranger and the shield heroes and charges towards one of the other shield heroes.
Keith: You girls take on L'Arc and Therese, Glass is mine.
Princess Melty: No way! Are you out of your mind?!
Raphtalia: Please don't tell me you're going to–
Keith: I won't have to if it's a one-on-one fight. Trust me.
Princess Yenova: We do. You heard him ladies.
Raphtalia: Sounds good to me.
Princess Melty: If that's the case then you can sign me up.
Filo: Yeah! I'm on board too.
Frostine: Be careful, Master.
Keith: Right back 'atcha.
Keith then runs off to the broken down boat near the whale's carcass. Glass finally notices Zane running towards one of the shield heroes and turns around just in time to see Keith running off to the broken ship.
Glass: You can't get away!
Glass takes the bait and follows the blonde kitsune, leaving L'Arc and Therese to deal with the girls, who got into their battle stances.
Raphtalia: You two are going to have to deal with us now!
L'Arc: *smirks* Sounds like fun!
{ With Keith and Glass }
The two land on the ship.
Glass: *interested* Oh, a one-on-one fight. Well, that's exactly what I was thinking. Although, you're letting them fight a duo as strong as L'Arc and Therese?
She glances at the group and sees Raphtalia and Filo going toe-to-toe with L'Arc while Frostine, Yenova, and Melty.
Glass: You're placing an awful lot of trust in your party.
Keith: You put trust on L'Arc and Therese to take them down, I put my trust on my party to do the same.
Keith then faces from his party and then towards Glass.
Keith: So, if L'Arc's a hero fighting for another world, does that make you one too?
The blonde already knew the answer but he just wanted to hear it from Glass.
Glass: That's correct. I am also what the people of my world call a Vassal Wielder. The Fan Hero.
Keith glances at his pocket, mainly at the Vassal Staff. That little glance gave Glass a chance to jump up and ready to strike.
Glass: En garde!
Keith looks up and immediately activates his Guardian Shield to defend himself from her attack.
{ With the party }
Therese: My friends, bring forth a wall of fire to stop my targets in tracks! Bejeweled: Flame Bulwark!
Azure fire shot from Therese's bracelet and created a flame wall in front of the girls.
Princess Melty: Zweite Aqua Slash!
The water spell countered the fire wall and created a steam curtain. L'Arc charges out of it and attempts to swing at Raphtalia, only for Filo to come out of the steam and try to crush L'Arc from above.
Filo: I don't think so!
L'Arc: Dammit!
The redhead jumps back to avoid being crushed, only for Raphtalia to appear beside him and try to cut him down. L'Arc, however, blocks her attack and jumps away from them once more.
L'Arc: *impressed* You guys are good. No wonder Keith trusts you.
Frostine: *mutters* I hope he's alright...
On the ship, flashes of light exploded and followed by waves of cold air and chains of fire.
{ With Zane }
Zane slashes a shield hero's legs off and stabs it in the chest, causing it to disintegrate into particles. He then spun around and cleaved another in half with Climhazzard, leaving behind just a Cyber Virus Core.
Just as he was about to pick it up, it was shot and destroyed by the other World Jumper.
Zane: What was that for?!
World Jumper: Behind you!
Zane gets stabbed from behind by another shield hero, but this time it looks different. It looks like a mix of the Shield Hero and the Inter-Dimensional Whale. Zane stabs himself with his Fusion Sword and stabs the shield hero behind him, which disintegrates into particles.
World Jumper: How are you not dead?
Zane: *imitates Sonic* I have no idea!
The World Jumper was about to say something before he was grazed in the side by a laser, making him grunt in pain. He turned to where the shot came from and saw a bunch of glitching fish monsters that have the whale's horn as a forearm, which shot lasers at him.
The World Jumper flies down to Zane's level and deploys a bubble shield made of sparkling golden light. The World Jumper takes a knee and holds his bleeding side.
Zane: Okay, Master Chief, care to tell me what the flood is doing here? And what's with the–
World Jumper: Can you like, shut up with the 2000s video game references?
Zane: 2000s? I don't know what timeline you came from b–
World Jumper: Shut up! You're not helping!
Zane: Alright fine! Just tell me what these things are?
Zane casts Curaga to heal the World Jumper, who just looks at him.
Zane: What?
World Jumper: You're a rookie, aren't you?
Zane: I don't even know what these things are. All I know is that we're visiting and playing around in other worlds out of boredom using video game powers.
World Jumper: *sighs* You're totally a rookie.
Zane: Well then "Mr Pro Gamer", care to teach me the tutorial?
World Jumpers: We call those things Cyber Viruses. Mainly due to the fact that they act like computer viruses and corrupt anything within their path. They are planet eaters. They absorb a planet dry of their resources, corrupt powerful beings, and then move on to the next to repeat the process.
Zane: So they're bad guys.
World Jumper: Simply put. Yes. And we, the World Jumpers, are the ones who protect the world from them. We've been doing it across the multiverse.
Zane: That's so awesome. Also why aren't you healing?
World Jumper: Any wounds inflicted by a Cyber Virus aren't going to heal, unless you purge the corruption from the wound.
The World Jumper shows his wound, which the surrounding flesh from the wound was glitching out and even with Zane casting Curaga, nothing happened.
Zane: Holy shit.
World Jumper: Yeah, that's why I'm confused as to why you're not dead yet.
Zane: Well... I'm technically not here.
World Jumper: Holy shit... you're using the virtual avatar prototype, aren't you?
Zane: Prototype? I think so... GM gave it to us so I have no idea.
World Jumper: GM?
Zane: He's a World Jumper, just like you. Or he claims to be.
World Jumper: I don't recognize him but that's a given since we outnumber the Green Lantern Corps by a multiverse.
Zane: Whoa. Just how man–
World Jumper: Talk later, fight now.
The two focused back to fighting the glitching shield hero, now known as a Cyber Virus, as soon as the golden bubble shield had dropped.
{ With Keith and Glass }
Glass unleashes another wave of attacks at Keith, who either blocked, deflected, or dodged them.
Glass: Rupture Stance Rondo: Tortoise Shell Cracker!
Glass fired out a blade of purple light at Keith, who deflected it right back at her. The attack hit and created a smoke screen that blocked Glass's view on Keith. From the smoke emerged Keith with the Soul Eater Shield.
Glass widens her eyes in fear and tries to jump away but Keith had already set the shield to target. The shield opens its maw and begins draining Glass's SP. The woman screams in pain as it wasn't simply SP that he was draining but rather her life force.
Keith: Forgive me Ms Glass! I didn't want to resort to this, but you leave me no choice!
L'Arc: *concerned* Glassy's in trouble!
Glass falls to a knee and glares at Keith.
Glass: *growls* Keith.
Keith: Normally, this shield drains SP. But with you, it sucks out your lifeforce. And I will use this shield if I have to if you don't stand down. We can talk–
Glass: Stand down? Oh no, this battle is not over just yet. Not until one of us is dead. I will never surrender!
Glass dashes forward, much faster than Keith had anticipated. He panicked and instead of blocking with the shield, he used the Blade of Chaos. He spun around to avoid and used the blade as a whip and whipped her back, its flames and the attack made Glass scream in pain and stumble to the ground.
Keith: Don't make me do this Glass! The Soul Eater Shield won't kill you but these blades can! Just stand down!
Glass: As long as I still draw breath, I will do everything in my power to end your life! *glares, declares* For the sake of the world I love, I have no choice!
Keith watches as she stands back up, ready to continue.
Glass: So the only way you'll ever be able to get rid of me is if you kill me! Otherwise, this world will end!
Keith: Well, I can technically uppercut you back up into the wave if I wanted to. But I kinda wanted to see how dedicated you are to your cause. And also hear your speech.
Glass: You're just like me, aren't you, Keith? You want to protect this world, right? Then you should want me dead right here and now!
Keith: I technically don't want to save this world but it's kinda part of the story so... I'm obligated to play along. Besides, this is Raphtalia, Filo, and Melty's home. Yenova and Frostine's too. Madame Mirellia as well. And Erhard. And Ake... Am I seriously listing everyone down
Glass: They're all waiting for us. My people are fighting against their own wave, awaiting our triumphant return. That is why I cannot lose! That's how this ends! It's do or die, Keith!
Keith was still currently listing down who else is significant in this world but snapped back to reality when L'Arc shouted.
L'Arc: Heads up Glassy!
Keith sees L'Arc throw a Soul Soothing potion towards Glass, who caught it.
Keith: A soul... soothing... po–oh fuck...
L'Arc: All it does for me is give me access to a few more skills. But for Glassy...
Glass drinks the potion and was engulfed in a golden aura before she felt highly invigorated.
Keith: Oh fuck, she just drank Monster Energy drink!
Glass suddenly dashes forward, so fast that Keith didn't even see her move and was already in front of him — fan about to stab him.
Keith: OH SHI–!
Keith lifts his hand and lets Glass's fan stab through it so it halts from hitting his face. He then moves his other hand towards her neck and without realizing it, his hand sparks like it did with Fitoria.
He began seeing flashes of memories as he saw through Glass's eyes. The first flash was Glass in a martial arts school with a ceremony being held for who would be chosen to be the Vassal Fan Hero.
Another flash, he saw Glass travel with a short girl with brown hair and brown eyes. She looked like she was Japanese. The girl was equipped with a fishing rod while Glass now had the Vassal Fan.
Another flash shows Glass and the girl fighting against a large black dragon called the Demon Dragon Emperor. And another flash had them meeting L'Arc and Therese. And another had Glass handing the girl a haori, making the girl smile beamingly.
Another flash of memory shows Glass and the girl creating what looks like a penguin familiar. And then the girl shows Glass around a large mansion.
Another flash shows Glass reading through some research before looking up to see three other people, who look like heroes, arguing loudly. The girl that she was usually with was nowhere to be seen.
It then flashes to show her fighting wave after wave with the girl she met being missing. It then flashes to her killing the soul eater during the second wave and fighting Keith and Zane.
The final flash was her helping their world with their current wave before she decides to join L'Arc and Therese in fighting the heroes of the other world.
Keith shook his head as he finally got his bearings back. He yelps as he caught Glass's fan just before it stabbed his neck. The two struggled with Glass trying to kill Keith and Keith trying to keep Glass from killing him.
Raphtalia: Master Keith!
Keith: Raphtalia, get away!
Keith pushes Glass's fan away and puts a foot on her arm to restrain her. He then calls his Leviathan Axe and switches the heavy runic attack from [ The Blessings of Frost ] to [ Breath of Thamur ].
Glass managed to shove his foot off, sending Keith off balance. Glass gets up and pulls her fan free from his hand and tries to go for the killing blow once more. Keith raises his Leviathan Axe and activates Breath of Thamur, creating a large blizzard around him.
Their parties gasped in shock at the extreme blizzard as not only did it freeze the water around the ship, it also froze the ship — covering it in ice and snow.
{ On the boats }
Mirellia gasped in shock at the large blizzard raging on from the broken down ship. It was like watching a living snowstorm.
Queen Mirellia: This isn't good. I wish there was something we could do to help them win this fight.
Rishia: *whines* Someone... please help me...
Mirellia looks down on the water and sees Rishia hanging on for dear life on a Cohol Fruit cask.
Queen Mirellia: *hopeful* I got it!
{ With Keith and Glass }
Keith was breathing heavily as the curse was starting to take its toll. Whatever it was dripping down his nose, he was certain it wasn't snot or sweat since it tastes like iron. He could feel his body about to collapse and it felt hot under the armor due to the sweat.
He shakes his head to keep himself awake as he stands up and groggily walks over to Glass, who broke out of her frozen confines. She was freezing but she didn't care and stood right back up. Both exhausted heroes were glaring at each other but only one was willing to end the other.
[ ⏳ 00:02:58 ]
Glass: *declares* Enough. Let's end this!
L'Arc: You can't! It's too risky!
Therese: You've done enough Glass!
Glass didn't listen. She was too committed to her mission.
Glass: Phoenix Stance Rondo...!
Keith unsheathed his Blades of Chaos on his back, switching its Heavy Runic Attack from [ Hyperion Slam ] to [ Meteoric Slam ].
Keith: Your Majesty, any time now.
Keith begins activating Meteoric Slam, causing his blades to erupt into powerful flames that melted the ice around him. The sky turned fiery red above him as he began spinning his Blades of Chaos above his head.
Keith: Don't make me do this, Glass...
The two got ready to deliver their blows. Large meteors began to form above Keith and they were burning bright while the flames of his blades were growing wild. The gems on Glass's fans were shining brightly and were now orange in color rather than purple, a loud hum echoed from them as Glass's eyes glowed.
Just as both were about to unleash their attacks.
Queen Mirellia: SIR LEVI!
Glass turned to the sound and Keith barely heard it but he heard it nonetheless.
Keith: Right on time.
Rishia: As source of thy power, I order thee! Decipher the laws of nature and unleash a gust of wind! Fast Wind Blow!
Keith: ZANE!
Zane heard his partner's call from the other room and looked at where he was. He saw barrels being launched above him and Keith pulling Glass towards him using his Blades of Chaos, the meteors on the sky burned up due to Keith canceling the Runic Attack.
Zane reeled his arm back and fired a Firaga at the barrels, causing it to explode over the two on the boat.
Keith had pulled Glass towards him so that he could restrain her right after both of them were doused in alcohol.
Glass: *intoxicated* W-What the *hic* hell is this?!
Keith looked at Glass and couldn't help but feel pity. She looked confused and somewhat adorable with that blush on her face.
Keith tried to speak but Glass noticed how close they were and tried to attack him, only to end up being so sluggish from the alcohol. However, Keith actually had to avoid her attack so he decided to restrain her by pinning her to the ship deck.
Glass heaved, hiccuped, and coughed from the alcohol overdose while Keith was completely fine so he easily restrained her while she could barely fight back. However, her fighting spirit remained.
Glass: *weakly* Get off me! I'm not– *hic* not done! I'll kill– *hic* kill you!
Keith: Glass. Enough.
Glass continued to struggle futility, making Keith want to scold her like a child. And he did just that.
Keith: Glass! That's enough! Just stop!
Keith got in front of her face.
Keith: Kizuna wouldn't want us to fight!
That got Glass to stop struggling and look at Keith with a stunned expression.
Glass: *intoxicated* W-What...?
Keith: *sighs* I know where Kizuna is. I can help you save her. Please, just stop. She wouldn't wan–
Raphtalia: Master Keith!
Keith looked up and narrowly avoided a swing from L'Arc's scythe. He backs away from the three.
L'Arc: This fight's over, we're out of time.
True enough, there was only a minute left on the clock.
L'Arc: So congrats, I guess you win this round.
Therese: But this won't be the last time we'll meet in battle.
Glass: *intoxicated* W-Wait... He knows– *hic* I still need to-
Glass couldn't finish her sentence as she felt like she's about to hurl.
L'Arc: Yell at us when you're not about to throw up, huh?
L'Arc sling Glass's arm over him as he helps her up.
L'Arc: See you around, Keith! Heh, feels wrong to call you that. Think I'll stick with kiddo.
The three were engulfed in a golden aura, similar to the heroes when they're being teleported to the waves.
Keith: *salutes* Yeah. See ya.
The three disappear and so do the waves. And look, the three "heroes" finally woke up.
Motoyasu: *weakly* The wave... did we win...?
Itsuki: *weakly* Looks like... it's over anyway...
Ren: *annoyed* Levi and Grayson soloed it again?!
Queen Mirellia: No. Every one of us played our part here. We share this victory!
The knights and crew cheered in victory.
Rishia, meanwhile, was laying on her rowboat, drunk.
Rishia: Wah... I hate whine... *hic*
Keith sighs and sits down to rest for a bit and take some medicine and wipe his nosebleed.
An explosion rang from the whale's carcass, catching everyone's attention. Half of it was already gone after the Cyber Viruses were absorbing it.
Zane: Keith?! Am I interrupting?!
Zane quoted James Franco's Harry Osborn's line from Spider-Man 3.
The redhead and the other World Jumper were dealing with one too many shield hero cyber viruses. There were already 7 of them and a few small fries.
Keith sighs and drinks up one last medicine vial and logs back in. He then sees Raphtalia and Filo struggling to kill one as their attacks barely did anything but Yenova's attacks were hurting it.
Princess Melty: What is this thing?
Keith: I have no clue. But your attacks are clearly not hurting it.
Frostine: However, Yenova's is. What's–
Keith: No time to explain. Just get the girls off this whale, you're running out of room.
Keith pointed out how small the whale's carcass had become as half of it was already gone. Keith jumped back on the whale and joined the fight against the Cyber Virus.
Yenova had just killed on and was about to grab the core.
World Jumper: NO! Don't touch it! You'll get corrupted by it!
Yenova immediately retracts her hand as Keith picks it up without issue.
Keith: Only World Jumpers could hold it, I guess.
Keith faces Yenova and the girls before telling them to get off the whale and join Her Majesty on her ship. He puts the core inside the Shield's inventory along with the other one before joining the fight.
Zane slashed apart another Cyber Virus shield hero. One was about to stab him in the back but it was stabbed in the back by Keith's Blades of Chaos. The blonde charges forward and performs Hyperion Grapple.
Keith then begins to slash apart the small fry with Cyclone of Chaos. The World Jumper flies down and joins his fellow World Jumpers and the trio begin to battle the Cyber Viruses. Keith and Zane advance forward while the stranger uses his rifle and pistol for supportive fire.
World Jumper: Move out of the way you two! I'll end this now that there's sunlight!
The two run back and Keith traps the Cyber Viruses inside a Shield Prison, which they begin to start trying to break out.
The stranger raises his hands and energy gathered on his hand. And like Cole MacGrath in InFamous 1, he pulls his arms down. The sun shined brightly and light shot down from the sun like a space cannon, destroying the Cyber Viruses in an instant and leaving a large sizzling hole on the whale's carcass.
Zane: Holy fuck. Is that how powerful World Jumpers are?!
World Jumper: Yes, as a matter of– AGH!
The stranger yelled in pain as a large gaping hole blasted through his chest, courtesy of the original Cyber Virus Shield Hero firing that dark beam.
Zane/Keith: NO!
The two ran over to him to try and help him but he shoves the two out of the way and points both his fists at the Shield Hero before charging up one last attack.
The shield hero was about to use its shield but Keith threw his Leviathan Axe at it, chopping its shield arm off. Zane then unleashes a Blade Beam at the shield hero, cutting off its other arm. The Cyber Virus bellowed in pain as the three got ready to unleash a final attack.
Keith/Zane/World Jumper: Jackpot!
Upon quoting Dante from the Devil May Cry series, they unleashed their attacks. The stranger fired off a beam of light like a kamehameha wave, Keith unleashed Blast of Hephaestus, and Zane fired a Firaga.
The attacks hit and decimated the Cyber Virus, leaving behind the Legendary Shield, and its Cyber Virus core. Zane runs to pick it up while Keith tries to heal the World Jumper.
World Jumper: *groans, weakly* That's not going to work
Keith: I don't care. It can keep you alive long enough for you to share info. And don't you dare end in a cliffhanger!
World Jumper: *chuckles, weakly* Noted. I'll keep it brief then.
The World Jumper introduced himself as Robbie Skyler, codenamed Luminosity. His power was sunlight manipulation. Robbie was part of the World Jumpers, a sector of an organization that specializes in defending the multiverse against the Cyber Virus threats.
The World Jumpers are people who explore or travel to other worlds for either research purposes or setting up bases in different worlds. There were many positions in the World Jumpers but Robbie was part of the Pioneers.
Pioneers were people who focus on exploring and conducting researches on other worlds, see what's interesting in those worlds and see if there are any Cyber Viruses. If there are Cyber Viruses, it's their job to exterminate them.
Robbie was a soldier class, meaning that he specializes in combat. Kozuhara Hisune, his ex-girlfriend, was a terraformer class. As her name says, she specializes in agriculture and terraforming. They had three other members. One was an engineer, a class that specializes in building and production. Another was the recon class, one that specializes in scouting and information gathering. The last one was the medic, as the name implies, this one specializes in healing and combat support.
Every Pioneer team is assigned to a squad that fits them best. And there are always five members in the squad and always those five classes. The Soldier fights, the Terraformer creates, the Engineer builds, the Recon scouts, and the Medic heals.
In a way, it reminded Keith of Power Rangers. Each colored ranger specializes in something compared to the others. Or kinda like a MOBA game in a way.
Despite wanting to save Robbie, his wounds weren't healing at all. The dying World Jumper explains that wounds inflicted by Cyber Viruses will never heal at all, even with the medic's help.
And unfortunately, Kozuhara and Robbie were the only ones left. Their scout died when they were assaulted by Cyber Viruses when landing in the Bow and Shield hero's time. The medic was killed by a Cyber Virus as well. He had sent their engineer out to call for help after repairing the ship but hasn't returned for centuries. He assumes that the engineer was either killed or was court-martialed for abandoning their team. Or they could've just left and never came back or they hit another world and damaged the ship beyond repair.
Whatever the reason, he wasn't going to live. Before dying however, he hands Keith a flash drive, a circular key-like item, a World Jumpers pendant, and a locket.
Robbie: *weakly* That locket... give it to that girl with the Fox Fire, okay? Do it... for me...
Keith: I will.
Robbie: *weakly* One... *coughs* One more thing... don't tell this GM guy about me. That flash drive holds the coordinates of where the ship was supposed to go. When you get there, look for Ramirez Courtney. She's my team's engineer.
Zane: What would her codename be?
Robbie: *weakly* Her codename's Forge.
Keith: We'll try to find her, then.
Robbie nods before he sighs softly and moves Keith's hand down to stop the healing spell.
Robbie: Good luck, rookies. And Keith, do the Shield Hero proud.
Keith held Robbie's hand and saw a flash of memory.
In the memory, Robbie saw that Mamoru made the mistake of grabbing the Cyber Virus core as he mistook it for a monster drop. Upon picking it up, the core immediately latched onto Mamoru's hand and forced its way in his flesh, corrupting him.
Mamoru struggled in pain as Fitoria called for him in worry. He then sees Kozuhara singing to Fitoria, using her music magic to put the girl to sleep and forget their encounter with the Cyber Virus.
Robbie lifts his pistol and points it at Mamoru, who began glitching but was holding it back.
Robbie: I'm sorry.
Mamoru: *struggles* It's alright. I understand. But please... protect Fitoria... and the others... and don't just save the world... save its people.
Robbie: Understood. Now, rest.
Robbie shot Mamoru in the chest a few times to destroy the core and shot Mamoru in the head to end his suffering. The body stopped glitching upon his death.
Kozuhara: Did he really have to die?
Robbie looks to Kozuhara, who takes off her helmet, revealing her medium length ginger hair and the fox ears on top of her head. Her face had pink whisker marks on her cheeks that were barely visible against her white skin. Her eyes were orange on the right and blue on the left.
Robbie: He was corrupted... There's nothing we can do...
Kozuhara: I guess we'll protect this world now instead, huh?
Robbie: It's just us two now anyways. Best we make the most of it.
Another memory flashed and showed Robbie standing over Kozuhara's grave. Beside him was her lover, who held his child close. Robbie was too grief-stricken and didn't even cared what happens to them
Another flash showed Robbie in his base, which was a cave. He then saw a signal on his computer that there were two World Jumper signatures in Faubrey. He thought that they were there to fetch him home.
Another flash showed Robbie wearing a black cloak that observed the two newly arrived World Jumpers, which was Keith and Zane. He shook his head and realized that these two were rookies who didn't even know that this world already had a World Jumper. Although, he was confused as to why there were only two and why they were both close to the soldier class.
Another flash shows Robbie destroying his base upon receiving a Cyber Virus signal from his computer. He was destroying his base to rid it of any evidence and prevent the Cyber Virus from ever absorbing information about the World Jumpers as he needed to keep an eye on the two idiots.
Another flash showed him interacting with Keith in Cal Mira. And his final flash was seeing Yenova use Kozuhara's Fox Fire and couldn't be more happy that she is in the protection of two idiots.
Keith blinks a few times to get his bearings and sees that Robbie has finally passed. Keith sighs solemnly and picks the World Jumper up and tells Zane that he'll meet back in Cal Mira before teleporting away.
He appears in Lurolona village and begins digging a grave for the fallen World Jumper. Keith uses his shield's crafting menu to make a casket made of marble and puts it on the grave. He even makes a tombstone for both Robbie and Kozuhara and places it on the filled grave as the scene fades to black, leaving only the message on the tombstone.
In loving memory of:
Robbie Skyler & Kozuhara Hisune
World Jumpers and Glitch Heroes
May your hearts bloom
like cherry blossoms in spring.
Chapter End